5 MINUTES WITH AARON PAULEY

PRS: How did you start playing music/bass? How old were you?

AP: I was 8 years old when I got my first guitar, and probably 10 or 11 when I played my first bass. I was always so drawn to music and musicians even at a young age, and I loved watching concerts on TV with my parents. The first thing I ever told my parents that I wanted to be when I grew up was Madonna’s drummer. I was three years old haha!

PRS: Who were some of your biggest musical influences?

AP: As a child, I loved classic rock, funk, and old singer-songwriters. When I was young, it was Hall & Oates, Queen, Earth Wind and Fire, Led Zeppelin, Jim Croce, Ohio Players, Simon and Garfunkel to name a few. When I was in high school, it was Tool, A Perfect Circle, Deftones, Pressure 4-5, Papa Roach. The heavier and more melodic side of rock. It was then I discovered how much I crave raw emotion in music. I love when music takes you places, emotionally.

PRS: How would you describe yourself stylistically?

AP: My role as a bass player is really to reinforce the beat and movement in the song, and to ultimately determine the melodic direction of the song. Being a singer as well, I often write counter melodies to my vocal melodies on the bass, which yields some pretty cool results sometimes.

PRS: Do you have a warm-up routine before going on stage?

AP: I warm up my voice for 20-30 minutes before set. I also stretch my hands and fingers, and do light cardio to get the heart going.

PRS: How would you describe yourself stylistically?

AP: My role as a bass player is really to reinforce the beat and movement in the song, and to ultimately determine the melodic direction of the song. Being a singer as well, I often write counter melodies to my vocal melodies on the bass, which yields some pretty cool results sometimes.

PRS: Do you have a warm-up routine before going on stage?

AP: I warm up my voice for 20-30 minutes before set. I also stretch my hands and fingers, and do light cardio to get the heart going.